Hayden Panettiere Says She Was Traumatized By Writers Of Hit Show

By Charlene Badasie | Published

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere describes her time on the ABC musical drama series Nashville as “traumatizing” because the writers used elements from her real life to create stories for her character, Juliette Barnes. This included her struggle with alcoholism. “Straight from the beginning, it was like, I’m dating a football player, [and then] Juliette dates a football player,” the actress said.

Nashville Forces Art To Imitate Life

hayden panettiere

“And then they turned her into an alcoholic,” Hayden Panettiere continued. “Then they turned to her leaving her daughter and going to this crazy [place] in Europe, and it was very obvious. They weren’t doing their homework. They weren’t creating new storylines. They were just looking at my life and going, ‘Oh, let’s just take what she’s going through and put our little spin on it.'”

I look back at it with curiosity more than anything,” the actress said while promoting her upcoming three-city speaking engagement tour aptly titled A Conversation with Hayden Panettiere. “If I hadn’t had done that – if I hadn’t accepted Nashville and had all that time to be involved with other projects – then where would I be now?”

Panettiere’s Struggles With Substance Abuse

hayden panettiere

Hayden Panettiere has openly discussed her personal battle with alcohol and drug addiction in recent years. She also revealed how the 12 to 20-hour workdays on the Nashville set had a significant impact on her overall well-being. “I didn’t have time to take care of myself [and] to think about and go through the pain I was experiencing physically [and] emotionally,” she said.

In A Conversation with Hayden Panettiere, the actress aims to share her past experiences openly to provide support to those who may find themselves in a similar situation. The event is scheduled to take place at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA, on February 22, Sony Hall in New York City on February 23, and the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on February 24.

Nashville

hayden panettiere

Nashville premiered on ABC in 2012 and later moved to CMT for its final seasons. The show follows the lives of country music stars in Nashville, Tennessee, exploring their personal and professional struggles in the competitive music industry. One of the central characters is Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), a rising young country pop sensation with a rebellious and ambitious personality.

Throughout the series, Juliette grapples with the challenges of fame, personal relationships, and the consequences of her troubled past. Hayden Panettiere’s portrayal was praised for its depth and authenticity, while the series in its entirety received positive reviewsNashville concluded its six-season run in 2018.

Save The Cheerleader, Save The World

Hayden Panettiere began her career at a young age, and her early success came with roles in television commercials and soap operas. Her breakthrough role was as Sheryl Yoast in the 2000 sports drama film Remember the Titans. However, she gained widespread recognition and fame for her portrayal of Claire Bennet in the NBC sci-fi drama series Heroes, which aired from 2006 to 2010.

Created by Tim Kring, Heroes follows the lives of ordinary individuals who possess extraordinary abilities. Through multiple character storylines, the show explores how their newfound powers impact their lives and intertwine with a larger, complex conspiracy. Hayden Panettiere’s performance as a cheerleader with regenerative healing powers earned her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Panettiere’s Other Work

Hayden Panettiere has also ventured into voice-over, lending her talents to Dot in A Bug’s Life video game in 1998. She has been involved in the music industry and released her debut single, “Wake Up Call” in 2008. The actress also contributed to the soundtrack of the animated film Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil in 2011.

Apart from her professional achievements, Hayden Panettiere has been an advocate for various social causes, including animal rights. Since being open about her personal struggles with addiction, the actress has used her platform to raise awareness about related mental health issues.

Source: The Messenger